Paintball Q&A

The paintball Q&A section of our site is the part where you send in questions and we do our best to answer. If there is anything you want to know about the sport of paintball, the equipment, techniques or anything else, feel free to contact us and we will ask our panel of staff experts!

What kind of barrel do I need for my gun? What's the difference?

Q: What kind of barrel do I need for my gun? Whats the difference?

A: Each manufacturer of paintball equipment uses their own type of thread for barrels on their markers. Progress has been made in the last couple years towards a unified barrel thread, but there are still a few different options to choose from. The most common barrel threads are Autococker thread, Sypder Thread, Smart Parts (aka Impulse) thread, 98 thread and A5/X7/BT thread. Each type of barrel will only fit certain markers.
- Autococker threads are common for most speedball and high-end markers. The original Autococker markers are not seen too often anymore, but AC threaded barrels will fit on Dye markers, Proto markers, Invert Minis, Eclipse markers, Bob Long markers, ICD Bushmasters newer than 2003, MacDev markers, Evil markers, some specialty Shockers (team and brand mostly), DP markers, most pump markers, and, of course, WGP Autocockers.
-Spyder threaded barrels are common for beginner markers. A Spyder threaded barrel will fit on Spyder/Kingman markers, JT markers, Pirhana markers, Stryker markers, Brass Eagle markers, Viewloader markers, and almost every blowback marker.
-Smart Parts threads were formerly known as Impulse threads, but are now known as Smart Parts threads. Every Smart Parts marker on the market currently uses Impulse threads, including the Ion (XE), SP-1, SP-8, new Impulse, old Impulse, Vibe, EOS and Epiphany. NXT Shockers use an Impulse thread as well. Old school Shockers such as SFT and older Shockers use a specific (and nearly obsolete) Shocker thread.
-98 threaded barrels fit all models of the Tippmann 98.
-A5 (aka Tippmann ProCarbine) threaded barrels fit the A5, X7, all BT-4 variants, the ACI Illustrator, and the TPX pistol
Keep in mind, some really really old markers may have threads that are different than all of the above. This is just a primer that covers most markers. Hopefully it helped!
-I.D.